Marine Diesel Heater Problems and Quick Fixes You Should Know About Avoiding Mid-Voyage Failures

For more than ten years Lavaner has stood at the helm of diesel heater production. Our precision heaters are designed for an array of vessel sizes from personal boats to commercial fleets. But the strongest of tools can also be subject to a flaw. Knowing common issues and their easy solutions can help you avoid untimely, inconvenient -- and possibly dangerous -- mid-circuit breakdowns.

Clogged Fuel Filter: Signs, Causes, and Step-by-Step Cleaning to Restore Heater Function

One of the most common reasons a heater will cease to function is because of a clogged fuel filter. Symptoms may include the heater not starting, or faulting and shutting down causing black smoke. This is usually due to dirty or old diesel fuel. The easy fix is to find the inline fuel filter and unhook the lines and change the filter. Be sure to always have a backup filter on hand. Avoiding contaminated fuel, of course, is the main preventative measure for which we swear by with all our ISO 9001 certified heaters to ensure their optimal operation.

Marine Diesel Heater Ignition Problems: Troubleshooting Spark Plugs, Glow Plugs, and Electrical Connections

If the ignition system is not working on your heater, and it tries to fire up but just won't catch, that's typically what it is. Just check the spark plug-glow plug for carbon build-up or damage, cleaning the unit (or replacing it) often does the trick. Then, check that all electrical connections are free of corrosion—a common problem near saltwater. See that all connections are clean and dry and fit tight. Our heaters are service friendly with relative ease of accessibility to these vital parts for servicing.

Uneven Heating or Weak Airflow: Fixing Clogged Ducts, Fan Failure, and Other Problems

Low output or uneven heat is a sign of an air flow problem. First, check for any obstruction of air intake and exhaust openings. Then inspect the inner air ducts and combustion chamber of the heater for any dirt. A bad fan motor, in addition to other problems can create poor air flow. Listen for any odd noises coming from the fan and see if it turns freely. Our CE-Certified fans are crafted from strong materials, blade by blade, but like all mechanical components they may simply wear out--if this happens your can be returned to service with a new blower fan.

Strange Noises (Rattles, Whistles): Identifying Loose Parts and Replacement Techniques

Strange sounds such as rattling or whistling are usually mechanical. If you hear a rattling noise, it could be that some part of the exhaust has come loose and needs to be secured. High Whistling A high-pitched whistle typically indicates an air leak in the combustion air or exhaust systems. Inspect the seals and gaskets where connections are made. Replacing an old gasket is a simple solution. All parts are precision engineered and designed to fit tightly, but the marine environment's vibrations can cause them to become loose over time, so regular checks are important.

If you’re aware of these common problems and apply these simple patches, you can increase your heater’s time between failures, and ensure that your voyage is as warm and safe as possible!